Comments on: Is this the worst AskMe response yet?http://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet/
Comments on MetaTalk post Is this the worst AskMe response yet?Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:14:10 -0800Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:14:10 -0800en-ushttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss60Is this the worst AskMe response yet?http://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet
Is <a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/34259">this</a> the worst AskMe response yet? By my count fifteen of the eighteen comments do not answer the question and should be deleted.post:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:14:01 -0800meechBy: meechhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294983
Yes, I realise that this kind of MeTa post has become rather fashionable recently. But that thread is a train-wreck.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294983Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:14:10 -0800meechBy: fixedgearhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294986
This is the worst MeTa post ever.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294986Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:16:38 -0800fixedgearBy: puke & cryhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294987
are you high?comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294987Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:18:05 -0800puke & cryBy: stavrosthewonderchickenhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294990
That thread doesn't seem outrageously chatty to me. <a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/34192#533953">This thread</a> is perhaps a better example. The question was answered in the second comment, the thread continued on with aimless chatter for 14 more, including my nanny-like fingerwagging at the end.<br>
<br>
Noise<em> is </em> increasingly swamping AskMe signal.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294990Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:19:43 -0800stavrosthewonderchickenBy: hototogisuhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294992
fixedgear: that distinction goes to the post below this one, I think.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294992Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:19:52 -0800hototogisuBy: mathowiehttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294994
Good point stavros, I deleted all the tv show chitchat.<br>
<br>
I don't think the post linked here is that bad. While no one has the right answer for exactly how and why beard color is different, the question sort of had a "does this happen to anyone else?" quality about it that the other folks are speaking to.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294994Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:23:57 -0800mathowieBy: stavrosthewonderchickenhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294997
Probably <a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/34192#533712">one more</a> you want to prune, there, Matt, if you're doing it. It's just beggin' for more chat.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294997Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:27:39 -0800stavrosthewonderchickenBy: meechhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#294998
fixedgear: if you're happy with the state of AskMe then yes this is the worst MeTa ever. But I'm not happy. knapah already knows that ginger in beards is common and has asked <em>why</em> it happens - go check again how many people answer his actual question.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-294998Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:31:08 -0800meechBy: shmegeggehttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295024
this really isn't that big a deal. people are generally offering what they believe are helpful comments, even if they're not straight up answers. the poem about trusting a man with a different colored beard isn't, but the rest are saying "my beard was like that, and it's because my beard was going gray." is it a perfect answer from a specialist in hair color and growth? no. is it a problem? not remotely.<br>
<br>
my $.02comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295024Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:13:32 -0800shmegeggeBy: Afroblancohttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295031
I think this is a silly callout, but then again, I think that 95% of callouts are equally silly. Everybody in that thread seems to be having a reasonably good time. No fights, no flames, no idiocy of any sort. <br>
<br>
I think that callouts are only warranted when somebody is flagrantly breaking the rules and making other people miserable.<br>
<br>
Then again, some people just like to complain.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295031Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:32:48 -0800AfroblancoBy: fire&wingshttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295033
"Not answering the question" callouts are the new black.<br>
<br>
A response doesn't have to directly answer the question to be helpful.<br>
<br>
If someone asks the best way to drink bleach, do we all plump for the shot glass over the beer mug, or does someone say something? <br>
<br>
Granted the last callout was worse, but "not answering the question" does not immediately = metatalk.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295033Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:34:35 -0800fire&wingsBy: froganhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295039
I'm with shmegegge ... I don't see the problem. Were any of these answers flagged as noise by anyone not already part of THIS thread? If that were the case, I could clearly see the point. But ...<br>
<br>
<em>No fights, no flames, no idiocy of any sort. I think that callouts are only warranted when somebody is flagrantly breaking the rules and making other people miserable.</em><br>
<br>
What he said, too.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295039Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:40:57 -0800froganBy: languagehathttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295041
<em>I think this is a silly callout, but then again, I think that 95% of callouts are equally silly</em><br>
<br>
*hums along fervently*comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295041Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:48:42 -0800languagehatBy: five fresh fishhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295057
<i>"Not answering the question" callouts are the new <strike>black</strike></i> grey.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295057Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:18:47 -0800five fresh fishBy: stavrosthewonderchickenhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295062
The word 'callout' is silly. MeTa threads intended to highlight things that are counterproductive or anti-community (in the poster's opinion), and (quixotically, but that comes with the territory) seek some discussion and consensus are not 'callouts', and they are not a bad thing.<br>
<br>
But I realize I'm swimming upstream with that particular hobbyhorse.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295062Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:53:35 -0800stavrosthewonderchickenBy: stavrosthewonderchickenhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295063
Although the same damn thread 4 times a week can get tiresome, I admit.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295063Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:53:54 -0800stavrosthewonderchickenBy: jjghttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295070
What stav said -- MeTa is not for "callouts", it's for course corrections, and a thread like this one fits the bill precisely.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295070Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:03:27 -0800jjgBy: LarryChttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295074
I need a hobby. Anybody have a hobby for me? Is knitting fun?comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295074Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:07:39 -0800LarryCBy: Astro Zombiehttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295076
No.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295076Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:12:04 -0800Astro ZombieBy: meechhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295079
Let me explain my reason for posting - the other day I was googling for information on a style of photography...AskMe turned up in the results with exactly what I was looking for. <br>
<br>
If I googled for why my beard has ginger in it and I got AskMe I'd be forced to read a whole lot of stuff that doen't answer the question.<br>
<br>
The internet is already full of crap. That is why people are posting AskMe questions that could be answered by using Google - it takes less time and the poster doesn't have to read so much off-topic info. <br>
<br>
This is how that thread reads:<br>
Q: Why does my beard have ginger in it? <br>
A: Mine does.<br>
A: So does mine.<br>
A: So does my Dad's.<br>
<br>
Useful.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295079Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:16:26 -0800meechBy: occhibluhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295084
Lots of these types of questions include a "Is this common?" in with the question. That inclusion does not then make the answers in the thread completely useless.<br>
<br>
This is really not a big deal. Making fun of the poster, insulting the poster, and otherwise harassing the poster should be discouraged. Encouraging the poster, even slightly off-topic or in general "me too!" terms, is just... not a big deal.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295084Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:22:57 -0800occhibluBy: scarabichttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295122
<em>the question sort of had a "does this happen to anyone else?" quality about it </em><br>
<br>
Heh. No it didn't:<br>
<br>
<em>i've noticed this occurring in quite a lot of people</em><br>
<br>
But I agree. There's nothing wrong with chiming in and saying "hey, me too, I'll be watching this thread with interest."comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295122Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:06:34 -0800scarabicBy: SuperNovahttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295142
Worst AskMe ever? Here I was, popping some popcorn and getting ready for something <em>interesting</em>, full of multiple MeTa links, applications of Godwin's Law, some elephant poop, and at least three pile-ons... and all I got a ho-hum, "yeah my beard does that too" thread.<br>
<br>
The complaint has some merit, though I think that (and why it's not a big deal) has been more than addressed. But there is a worse AskMe answer <em>every day</em>. Don't get my hopes up!comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295142Mon, 13 Mar 2006 23:32:05 -0800SuperNovaBy: five fresh fishhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295143
<i>If I googled for why my beard has ginger in it and I got AskMe I'd be forced to read a whole lot of stuff that doen't answer the question.</i><br>
<br>
Forced! Forced, I tell you! I demand reparations!comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295143Mon, 13 Mar 2006 23:37:29 -0800five fresh fishBy: Mayor Curleyhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295165
<i>While no one has the right answer for exactly how and why beard color is different</i><br>
<br>
My barber (whose explanation I related) disagrees. And she has scissors. Plus, she hates people from outside New England.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295165Tue, 14 Mar 2006 02:33:48 -0800Mayor CurleyBy: y6y6y6http://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295195
meech - It's a thin line between self-policing and being a whiny, pedantic, tedious fool. You've pretty much drifted into the latter. Just FYI.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295195Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:04:39 -0800y6y6y6By: kcmhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295282
what if the thread's poster could delete answers at will?comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295282Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:06:01 -0800kcmBy: thanotopsishttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295319
I nominate MonkeySaltedNuts comment for most ridiculous when mispronounced:<br>
<br>
<i>I myself am a dark Titian.</i><br>
<br>
Dear God, man, put on a shirt.comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295319Tue, 14 Mar 2006 14:47:57 -0800thanotopsisBy: meechhttp://metatalk.metafilter.com/11473/Is-this-the-worst-AskMe-response-yet#295325
y6y6y6 - I was exaggerating in my "worst Askme...trainwreck" statement. Of course it's not <em>that</em> bad, it was just so mediocre, which to me is worse. But everyone here seems to be happy with answers to questions that were not asked. Fine, at least we know where AskMe is heading...comment:metatalk.metafilter.com,2006:site.11473-295325Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:21:10 -0800meech